CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio— State liquor enforcement agents say
they broke up a party at a shoe store and cited three people for underage drinking.

The agents spotted the party Dec. 27 while investigating other
routine complaints on Coventry Road. Officials said agents watched several
people that appeared to be younger than 21 bring beer into the Heart & Sole
Shoe Boutique.

Officials said agents arrested or cited three people on
suspicion of underage drinking – a 20-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman and a
19-year-old woman. The co-owner and manager, a 24-year-old man, was arrested on
suspicion of allowing underage drinking.

The 20-year-old man and 19-year-old woman were also arrested
on suspicion of possessing a small amount of marijuana.

State agents said the charges would be filed in Cleveland Heights
Municipal Court. A search of records shows none has been charged as of 3 p.m.
Friday.

"It's somewhat rare we would observe underage drinking right
from the start," said Eric Wolf, the administrative agent for the Ohio
Investigative Unit. "Typically we get complaints and work based off those
complaints. The liquor enforcement agents were at the right place at the right
time to observe that activity."

Kenny Bencke, part owner of the store, said Friday that the store was
throwing a party for a local artist from Beachwood to feature his artwork.
Bencke said the store had someone at the door checking ID's and turned several
people away, including an undercover law enforcement officer using a fake ID.

Bencke said he confiscated two fake ID's. People old enough to drink were
given a wristband at the door. He said the store provided free beer for anyone
21 and over.

Bencke said the party was shut down after officers and
agents raided the party. He said officers have shut down parties at his store
before.

"We almost expect this at this point," he said. "But we want
to give people something fun and safe to do. Nothing ever happens at our
parties. There are never fights. But we're pretty used to it."

Wolf said liquor control agents reported seeing people they
believed to be younger than 21-years-old bringing beer inside the store about
11:30 p.m.

Agents found the store didn't have a liquor license and
called Cleveland Heights police for assistance. Bencke said agents told him
they were watching the store for about a half hour and that an undercover
officer was inside the store for about 15 minutes.

Wolf said the agents found the store was having a party,
where the three were drinking underage. No alcohol was being sold at the party,
but Wolf said there are also regulations for Bring Your Own Beer parties and
establishments.

He also said the state investigative unit is taking the lead
in the investigation and more other charges could be added.

Wolf also encouraged residents to report underage parties.

"If individuals in the community know of a location such as
this that are allowing underage consumption we encourage them to call #677 or
report it to local police," Wolf said.

Bencke said other parties at the store have been
shut down by law enforcement, the charges or citations have eventually been
dismissed.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.